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Rev up the luxury: 11 pro tips to make your car smell like a 5-star hotel
A car expert shares the best luxury scents and how to bring that fresh, premium vibe to your ride.
The first time I got behind the steering wheel of a Mercedes S-Class, I was met with an aroma that I can only describe as "luxury." It wasn't that new car smell but rather an elegant perfume that, quite honestly, made the drive even more appealing. It reminded me of staying in a nice hotel or getting dressed up for dinner at a fancy restaurant.
I've long forgotten the name of that scent, but I'll never forget the feeling it exuded the moment I sat in that car. While I won't be driving a Mercedes S-Class again any time soon, in my decade as a car expert, I've learned a few tricks — namely that you can make any vehicle feel a little bit more luxurious and a whole lot more spa-fresh. With some easy upkeep and a few tried-and-true tools, your ride may not be a Mercedes on the outside, but it'll come closer to feeling like one on the inside.
Clean out your car
I know, I know, what fun is that? I hate to say it but no amount of scent is going to mask the aroma of those rotting french fries under the seat. Luckily it doesn't take much to clean out a car. A regular once-over with a car vacuum will keep the buildup of pet hair and stale Cheerios to a minimum. And to maintain order in between vacuuming, an over-the-seat garbage can like this one will keep wrappers (and stinky scents) from accumulating.
When it comes to introducing a scent for your car, it's best to start with a clean slate, or in this case a clean vehicle. This Dustbuster for your ride comes with a 16-foot power cord that will plug into any standard 12-volt outlet, as well as a HEPA filter. It's a Yahoo reader favorite with a ridiculous 168,000+ five-star reviews.
Trash stinks. Literally. Keep it all in one place with this small yet feature-filled "carbage." A water- and leak-proof design means you don't need to worry about anything icky dripping onto your floor mats. It's easy to empty (which you should do often to avoid unwanted odors) and its liner is removable and machine washable. Alternatively, you can use this as an in-car organizer for accessories and other supplies.
Odor out, fresh air in
Unless you never plan to eat at a drive-thru or jump in the car after a day at the beach, you’re going to need something to combat odors. But you don't just want to mask nasty scents — you want to eliminate and neutralize them. That means updating your filters and keeping odor absorbers on hand.
Once everything is vacuumed up, and most importantly, dry, enlist the help of baking soda or activated charcoal. Baking soda will react with the acidic materials creating odors in your vehicle, neutralizing them and can be sprinkled around the interior, left overnight and then vacuumed up. Activated charcoal is even better, thanks to millions of microscopic pores in each piece that attract and absorb moisture and odors. Whichever you choose, sprinkle it around the car's interior, leave it overnight and vacuum it up the next day. Even easier: Get charcoal odor absorbers, like the ones you'd slide in shoes. According to the brand, these last two years and can be "recharged" by placing them in direct sunlight.
If you're like most drivers on the road, chances are you need a new cabin air filter (it's that thing that they want to swap out for way too much money every time you get your oil changed). It filters the air that's running through the vents in your car and, if not replaced, the smell can get a bit stale. As far as car parts go, a cabin air filter is relatively inexpensive and incredibly easy to replace (I just bought one for $15).
Invest in a quality air freshener
Forget those little fragrance trees hanging from your rearview mirror. They emit a chemical scent that's way too strong. There are much better options out there that smell better, last longer and won't hinder your view of the road.
This bestselling wooden air freshener features a handy clip that fastens it to your visor. The Drift has a more sophisticated look than most, and its scents follow suit — it comes in a variety of long-lasting fragrances, including Amber, Apple Orchard, Cabana, Grove, Open Air, Pine and Teak. Each sustainably produced block lasts about 30 days; once it's ready to be replaced (or you just feel like trying a different scent), pop the magnetic gizmo off of the visor clip and swap in a new one.
One of the most popular car air fresheners with over 10,000 sold in the past month, Febreze Unstopables clip to your air vent and use your HVAC to propel a fresh scent into your car to neutralize odors for up to 160 days. According to nearly 29,000 five-star reviewers, these are long-lasting and great-smelling.
Use a diffuser
Looking for a customizable scent solution that'll make your car feel a bit more like a spa? Diffusers emit scented essential oils, much like perfume. Go for a powered version that releases aromas in predetermined intervals or a passive vent clip that utilizes your vehicle's HVAC to fragrance the air.
This option is powered by the outlet in your car and works with water-soluble essential oils so you can choose the fragrance you love most, rather than having to settle on a predetermined scent. It features seven colors of LEDs to set the ambiance too. Car feeling dry? This diffuser can also be used as a humidifier. It fits nicely in most cup holders, so there's no need to worry about it rolling around while you're driving.
Want more features? This snazzy-looking aluminum model looks great in everything from a Focus to a Phantom and fits nicely in most cup holders. It features an automatic on/off which senses the vehicle's movement, so you don't have to remember to hit a power button before it starts working. The built-in battery only needs to be charged for two hours and then lasts for up to 60 days; you'll get about 120 days of scent before needing a refill.
If you're like me, taking up space in a cup holder is a non-starter; I need that for my coffee! These clip to the vents in your car and use that air to disperse the scent throughout the vehicle. Made of lava stone and rosewood, the diffusers themselves have no smell; instead, just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and you're good to go.
Spray the seats (and everything else)
Just like you use fragrance sprays for your home, you can use them in the car. But don't go nuts: No matter how big of a ride you pilot, your vehicle is much more compact than your home so a little goes a long way.
This sea salt spray has a crisp, beachy aroma that’ll transport you straight to the coast. Use it (sparingly) on your seats and floors and the fresh scent will come in like the tide. Before I spritz anything on my seats, I like to patch test it on an area that isn't going to be seen easily, just to make sure it won't stain.
Not sure what scent you want? This variety pack is the way to go, giving you eight options, from bubblegum to honeydew. Check out other stuff from The Chemical Guys while you're at it: The brand offers tons of fantastic cleaning products to keep your car looking and smelling great inside and out, regardless of seat fabric type.
